Prescription of psychotropic medication to partner (15HDC0042)

A psychiatrist prescribed citalopram, a psychotropic medication,
to a woman with whom he was in a personal relationship, for a
period of about a year. The psychiatrist did not record the dosage
or frequency of his prescribing, nor did he document any
consultations with the woman. The psychiatrist was not the only
practitioner available to the woman to prescribe medication as she
lived in a metropolitan region.

The Medical Council of New Zealand's Statement on providing
care to yourself and those close to you in place at the time
was clear that providing medical care for a person with whom a
practitioner is in a relationship is generally unwise. In addition,
the Statement specified that practitioners should avoid prescribing
psychotropic medication to themselves or people close to them. If
care is provided, the Statement specified that the practitioner is
to record details of consultations in clear, accurate and
contemporaneous patient records, which also record relevant
clinical findings, decisions made, information given to the
patient, and the drugs prescribed.

In addition, the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of
Psychiatrists' Code of Ethics in place at the time
outlined that psychiatrists should, wherever possible, avoid
providing care to those with whom they have a close personal
relationship.

It was held that by prescribing psychotropic medication to his
partner, and for failing to keep a record of the care provided to
her, the psychiatrist failed to provide services that complied with
professional standards and breached Right 4(2).

It was recommended that the Medical Council of New Zealand
consider whether a review of Dr B's competence was warranted, and
report back to HDC on the outcome of that review.